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(Mira's P.O.V)

"The banner's a little slanted! Turn it over to the left more! Not your left my left!" Honestly, Gray and Natsu need to know their sides. "It ain't my fault that Stripper is as stupid as a rock!"

"Did you know that there's a 'U' in stupid! You must be talking about yourself idiot!" Natsu glared at Gray with fire spewing out of his mouth! "THERE'S ALSO AN 'I' AS WELL!"

Gray and I sweat-dropped at Natsu's failed attempt to insult Gray. "Natsu... You do know that you just called yourself stupid right?" Natsu stared at me looking puzzled. I sighed strolling away from the two mages. "Mira! We finished the cake for the guild!" I went over to the bar seeing a perfect strawberry cake with the guilds insignia on the top. Erza had a little frosting on her face while Lisanna and Wendy were covered in flour and sugar.

"Oh my! I'm guessing Erza pushed you two to make this wonderful cake." Lisanna puffed out air from exhaustion. "She made us re-start from scratch if we accidentally made one tiny flaw on it. I'm quite scared to make another cake with her Mira-nee..." Lisanna shivered with Wendy nodding in agreement. Erza glared at the poor two girls. "So you say that I am bossy?"

The girls shrieked hugging each other to death. "N-no Erza! We just can't make a cake outstanding as you can!" Wendy stuttered out still holding Lisanna. Erza grinned at Wendy. "Good save Wendy. I'll let you two have a slice a cake after I get the first plate."

"Hey Mira! Come here for a second." I turned over to the table with Levy waving me over to come see her. When I came over Levy put a book in my hand. "What's this Levy?" The blue-haired girl began jumping off the floor.

"It's a gift I got for Lu-chan! It's about a girl who fell for this man that was dying from a curse. When they confessed each other's love the man died in the hospital months later when the curse finally killed him. The girl was sad for a long time but kept living because of a dream she had every night. The dream was her always walking in the darkness but was following a glowing red string. So when the girl finally passed away she reached the end of the glowing string finding her love waiting for her! It's so romantic and I died after reading it!"

I turned the book over reading the title. "The Red String. I'm sure Lucy will love this book Levy. Now hurry and get ready before she gets here!" Levy ran off with the book in hand to go and wrap it. Master sat in the bar watching us decorate the guild for Lucy's arrival.

"The guild hasn't been this joyful since Team Natsu came back home. It's nice to be the lively guild we once were!" The rain lightly tapped on the guilds roof while Master nodded. "I'm glad that my children are once again happy, and to also be having one of our own back."

"You're right about that Master! When do you think she'll be here?" Master shrugged as he gulped down a mug of alcohol. The least Lucy could've done was to tell what time she would be at the guild...

"Oi Mira! The banner's finally finished!" My attention went over to the finished decoration as Natsu and Gray rubbed on the bruises they caused on each other.

Everything was complete.

Now all we need is left is our fellow guild member...

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(Lucy's P.O.V)

The train came to a stop after finally reaching Magnolia. I grabbed my keys and book running off the train while covering my head from the rain.

'I really need to try stopping the rain. It's unbelievable that I haven't flooded all of Fiore yet."

I slowed to a walk when I began looking around remembering small memories. 'That was where the café was until Nastu and Gray fought inside; destroying the place all because of a spot in the line. And that was when the bakery was still standing until Erza destroyed that for not having any cakes to sell when they sold out from her coming in earlier. Yep, good ol' days...' I passed over a canal strolling slowly to Fairy Tail.

I guess they'll be to angry to talk to me. Or just ignore my presence for not coming home earlier. I'm actually hoping that will happen if they just ignore me when I answer the Calling. My hands wrapped around my forearms where my bandages hid the dark veins from showing. "Hello Lucy! Haven't seen you in awhile!" Two men in their canal boats hollered as they passed me. I didn't pay any attention to their voices...

"You wouldn't need to worry about hiding your beautiful veins if you just came home to claim the Darkness. It's waiting for you Lucy..."

It was her voice that I only listened to...but I fought to ignore her. If I ignore her then her voice will fade away like last time. Just don't succumb into her words...

I saw the guild minutes later after my little incident. It was still the same as ever but being quiet without the rowdiness I was expecting to hear. "Strange...they're quiet." My grip on the book tightened when I came closer to the wooden doors of my guild. 'What if they don't want to see you Lucy? It's not like you'll feel sorrow if they do ignore you, but will that make me even more of a horrible human?' My stupid self asked, hesitating on wether flying away or just running instead.

I've read some letters. They say they miss me and wish for me to return home soon. So why am I thinking this way?

"Because you don't want to show who you really are Lucy! If you did then they will toss you out like nothing. But the truth is Lucy, it's true. You're nothing but pure Darkness! So stop fighting against yourself and come back home."

This is my home. I want to spend what little time I have left with my family before the Calling consumes me. I won't stop fighting against myself and will protect Fairy Tail to my last breath. I know they would do the same...

I opened the doors to the guild seeing it dark inside. "H-Hello?" I stepped in the entrance feeling the comfort of the dark. It was a part of me after all...

The door closed behind me with a loud bang. I sharply turned back not understanding what was going on; until the lights came on.

"Welcome back Lucy!"

The very loud guild members I knew shouted. I faced them with my eyes widened by the sudden appearance of seeing them. Everyone came closer to me wanting to give me hugs with Natsu running first to me. "LUCE! HOW COULD YOU STAY AWAY FOR SO LONG?!" I dazed when Natsu slammed in front of me with his arms wrapping around my waist as other people came in and joined the hug. "Uh...sorry?" I replied to Natsu having my arm tugged by someone.
"Lu-shee you were gone for to long for Natsu! The only thing he ever did was sulk and make sure your rent was paid!" Happy cried hugging my head. "R-Really? I guess-"

"Lu-chan I missed you! Did you get my letters? I wanted to show you a book I finished reading since you would love the plot!" Levy tugged my other arm having a tug-of-war with the other person.

'To much. To much is happening...'

Erza came forward throwing Natsu off me and taking his place of hugging me. "We're so glad to see you again Lucy. It wasn't the same when you were here."

'The noises...their so loud! I need quiet, I need peace!'

"HUGGING IS MANLY! RIGHT LITTLE SIS?" Elfman hollered with his sister Lisanna nodding at his question.

'To loud! TO LOUD!'

I tried to push the guild members away from me when more attacked creating a dog pile around me and on top of me.

'Please! Help me!'

"Why should I? This is your guild so you can handle it on your own can't you?!"

'Its just...I haven't been around a wild group in so long! I don't know what to do! I beginning to feel claustrophobic...'

"Well~...I'll do it if-"

"Alright everyone give the lady her room! She must be exhausted after a three day trip back!" The pile of people lessened as one after another gave me space. The voice came over giving me her hand. I glanced up seeing the sweet blue eyes holding a kind smile.

MiraJane...

"Come on Lucy. Let me help you up!" Her hand was still waiting for me to grab it when I just continued looking at her. "Right. Sorry..." I took Mira's help when I was finally standing straight. Master came forward having his hands up. "Let's party for the return of our guild member!" The crowd cheered as some demanded for booze while others began to talk and wrestle.

The same usual guild.

Mira put her hand on my shoulder. "Welcome home Lucy. We're happy to see you again."

"Until they find out of what you are..."

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(I'll do another update tonight for not updating yesterday. And for all you Nalu lovers, your gonna love me in the next chapter!❤️😉 As always my Lovelies... LOVE YOU ALL!!!❤️)